Barcelona expands into U.S. market

Spanish football giants FC Barcelona opened a corporate office in New York. They have become the second European club after Germany’s Bayern Munich to open a permanent office in the United States.

The plan is to use 250 Park Ave. office to build marketing partnerships and collaboration in the United States. This is part of a five-year plan to increase the global footprint of the club. As part of this strategic plan, an office in Hong Kong opened three years ago.

We are here with one focus. That is to be present in the market looking for opportunities for sponsors for our club,” said Manel Arroyo, the club’s vice president of marketing and communications. “Just looking for companies that can use our club, our brand to expand and to promote the brands globally.”

As part of this plan, there are plans to open an office in South America and in China. They also have more ambitious plans to go beyond marketing and are in talks to start a franchise in the National Women’s Soccer League.

In addition, there are plans to open a network youth Soccer academies run by the club. One of these schools is already up and running in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. With another in Charlotte, N.C., to be opened shortly. A total of 12 more will be opened over the course of the next year.

The United States has seen an explosion in the popularity of the sport in recent years, and there is no doubt that this has influenced Barcelona’s plans and timing.